Written Answers

Tuesday 28 March 2000

Scottish Executive

Birds

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will complete the selection of Special Protection Areas under the EC Wild Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) on land in Scotland.

Sarah Boyack: I have announced the classification of six sites as Special Protection Areas under the Wild Birds Directive. These are:

  Inner Firth of Clyde shore and mudflats SPA and Ramsar site

  Coll corncrake SPA

  Tiree corncrake SPA

  Loch Leven SPA

  Papa Stour SPA

  Switha SPA

  This brings to 116 the number of SPAs classified in Scotland.

  Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee have considered what further sites appear to meet the selection guidelines for SPAs. They have identified 23 sites as possible SPAs. Some of these are already the subject of consultation with interested parties. I intend to consult interested parties between now and the end of 2000 about the possible classification of the remaining sites, resulting in the substantial completion of the classification of terrestrial SPAs in Scotland. The 23 sites identified to me are:

  


Site

  

Local 

  Authority Area

  



Arran Moors

  

North Ayrshire

  



Assynt Lochs

  

Highland

  



Black Cart

  

Renfrewshire

  



Firth of 

  Forth 

  

Stirling, 

  Clackmannan, Fife, Falkirk, West Lothian, City of Edinburgh, 

  East Lothian

  



Forest of 

  Clunie

  

Perth and 

  Kinross

  



Glen App 

  – Galloway Moors

  

Dumfries 

  & Galloway, South Ayrshire

  



Inverpolly, 

  Loch Urgill & Nearby Lochs

  

Highland

  



Knapdale 

  Lochs

  

Argyll & 

  Bute

  



Ladder Hills

  

Highland

  



Lairg/Strathbrora 

  Lochs

  

Highland

  



Langholm-Newcastleton 

  Hills

  

Scottish 

  Borders, Dumfries & Galloway

  



Lewis Peatlands.

  

Eilean Siar

  



Muirkirk 

  and North Lowther Uplands

  

Dumfries 

  and Galloway, East Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire

  



Mull eagle 

  site

  

Argyll & 

  Bute

  



North Rona 

  & Sula Sgeir

  

Eilean Siar

  



Orkney Mainland 

  Moors

  

Orkney

  



Otterswick 

  and Graveland

  

Shetland

  



Rannoch 

  Lochs

  

Highland, 

  Perth & Kinross, Argyll & Bute

  



Skye eagle 

  site

  

Eilean Siar

  



South West 

  Hoy 

  

Orkney

  



Tiree Wetlands 

  and Coast

  

Argyll & 

  Bute

  



Tips of 

  Corsemaul & Tom Mor

  

Moray/Aberdeenshire

  



Wester Ross 

  Lochs

  

Highland

  



  I believe that it is right that we should protect our most precious bird habitats, in a way which respects the aspirations of the people who work the land and the shore, and that the completion of the classification of terrestrial SPAs Scotland will be a substantial contribution to sustainable development.

Caledonian MacBrayne

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that both the consultation document on and the findings of the review into Caledonian MacBrayne CFARES will be published.

Sarah Boyack: I announced in January that I have invited Caledonian MacBrayne to review the company’s ferry fares structure. Decisions about publication of the consultation document and of the review findings are a matter for Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. I believe that, in the interests of openness and transparency, publication is desirable. Ministers will decide the way forward in relation to the company’s recommendations following the conclusion of the review.

Domestic Abuse

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of the applications for funding from the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund.

Jackie Baillie: The Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund is made up of £3 million from the Scottish Executive and £3 million matched funding from councils over two years. £2 million is also being allocated over two years from Scottish Homes to increase the number of refuge places and provide more permanent accommodation. The successful applications for 2000-01 are as follows:

  Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund 2000-01 Successful Applications

  


Council

  

Provision

  

Award 

  (£000)

  



Aberdeen 

  City Council

  

2 Domestic 

  Abuse Support Workers

  

25.52

  



Aberdeenshire 

  Council

  

3p/t Outreach 

  Workers and admin. support

  

38.49

  



Angus Council

  

Domestic 

  Abuse Officer (Barnardos)

  

29.50

  


 

Refuge Worker 

  (Women’s Aid)

  

20.00

  



Argyll & 

  Bute Council

  

Children’s 

  Worker (Women’s Aid - Dunoon)

  

10.31

  


 

Sessional 

  Rape Crisis Support

  

5.36

  


 

Outreach 

  Worker – Bute

  

36.29

  



City of 

  Edinburgh Council

  

Partner 

  Worker for Probation Programme

  

13.80

  


 

Development 

  of multi-agency strategy

  

43.75

  



Dumfries 

  & Galloway Council

  

Domestic 

  Abuse Co-ordinator

  

46.25

  



Dundee City 

  Council

  

Outreach 

  Training and advice for victims

  

25.72

  



East Ayrshire 

  Council

  

Domestic 

  Abuse Training Officer

  

22.50

  



East Dunbartonshire 

  Council

  

Increase 

  Women’s Aid Service

  

38.59

  


 

Develop 

  Multi-agency Forum

  

18.40

  



East Renfrewshire 

  Council

  

To Develop 

  Services and Start-up Funding for East Renfrew Women’s Aid

  

50.00

  



Falkirk 

  Council/Stirling Council/Clackmannan Council

  

Partner 

  Support Worker for Women whose Partners are Undergoing Groupwork 

  Rehabilitation

  

16.10

  



Falkirk 

  Council (Open Secret)

  

Co-ordinator 

  to train and work with volunteers 

  

19.94

  



Falkirk 

  Council

  

Abuse Prevention 

  Worker

  

30.78

  



Fife Council

  

To Improve 

  accessibility – East Fife WA

  

30.29

  


 

Fife Domestic 

  Abuse Forum

  

30.62

  


 

Dunfermline 

  Women’s Aid – service extension

  

18.70

  


 

Abuse Survivor’s 

  Project – Kirkcaldy

  

4.05

  



Glasgow 

  City Council

  

Support 

  Unit for Glasgow Partnership

  

47.93

  


 

Women’s 

  Aid Worker- Easterhouse

  

14.70

  


 

Educational 

  Resource Worker

  

29.00

  



Highland 

  Council

  

Develop 

  Strategy, Child and Family Support Post, Outreach Project

  

50.00

  



Inverclyde 

  Council

  

Outreach 

  Worker (Women’s Aid)

  
 


 

Zero Tolerance 

  Development Worker

  

21.50

  



Midlothian 

  Council

  

Support 

  Work for Extra Refuge Spaces

  

30.50

  



Moray Council

  

Information/Advice 

  Worker

  

21.10

  



North Ayrshire 

  Council

  

Outreach 

  Services for Children and Preventative Work Through Schools

  

43.50

  



North Lanarkshire 

  Council

  

Domestic 

  Abuse Co-ordinator

  

23.00

  



Orkney Islands 

  Council

  

Development 

  Worker – Women’s Aid

  

13.04

  



Perth & 

  Kinross Council

  

Outreach 

  Work in the Rural Community

  

15.00

  



Renfrewshire 

  Council

  

Multi-agency 

  Development/Preventative Work in Schools and Outreach Initiative

  

34.53

  



Scottish 

  Borders Council

  

Research 

  for Domestic Abuse Forum

  

19.00

  



Shetland 

  Islands Council

  

Outreach 

  Worker (Women’s Aid) to develop Multi- agency approach for new 

  Partnership

  

19.00

  



South Ayrshire 

  Council

  

Multi-agency 

  Development

  

7.50

  


 

Working 

  in Rural Areas

  

17.50

  


 

Support 

  for Additional Accommodation

  

10.00

  


 

Providing 

  Additional Security

  

7.50

  



South Lanarkshire 

  Council

  

Framework 

  to Improve Access to Services

  

50.00

  


 

Furnish 

  6 Properties for Emergency

  

42.30

  



Stirling 

  Council

  

Community 

  Outreach in Rural Areas

  

9.50

  


 

Domestic 

  Abuse Training Co-ordinator

  

27.95

  



West Dunbartonshire 

  Council

  

Development 

  Worker for Multi-agency Strategy

  

30.00

  



Western 

  Isles Council

  

Research 

  to inform future strategic Development and Services

  

15.00

  



West Lothian 

  Council

  

"Child 

  Focus" Family Mediation Service

  

42.00

  






Resettlement 

  Worker

  

10.00

  



TOTAL

  




£1,226.01

  



  In addition the Development Fund is providing matched funding for some of Scottish Homes projects for furnishings and fittings £104.99

  Grand Total £1,330.99

  Scottish Homes Domestic Abuse Fund Successful Applications

  


Council

  

Provision

  

Award 

  (£000)

  



Aberdeenshire 

  Council

  

Refurbishment 

  of existing property

  

18.24

  



Angus Council

  

Furnishings, 

  decoration to refuge

  

17.78

  



Fife Council

  

Move on 

  Accommodation

  

182.00

  



Glasgow 

  City Council

  

Refuge

  

136.74

  



Highland 

  Council

  

Refuge

  

100.00

  



Midlothian 

  Council

  

New Hostel

  

216.00

  



North Ayrshire 

  Council

  

Refurbish 

  properties

  

54.13

  



North Lanarkshire 

  Council

  

New Refuge

  

177.26

  



Orkney Islands 

  Council

  

Feasibility 

  study

  

5.00

  



Renfrewshire 

  Council

  

Furnishings 

  for 4 Flats

  

16.22

  



South Lanarkshire 

  Council

  

New Build

  

163.00

  



West Lothian 

  Council

  

Furnishings

  

17.50

  



Total

  


£1,103.87*

  



  *£104.99 of the total is for match funding with the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund for furnishings and fittings.

Employment

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the percentage of Glasgow school leavers who are still unemployed four months after leaving school has increased year-on-year since 1996-97 and what plans it has to reverse this trend.

Henry McLeish: I have asked my officials to investigate the reasons for the apparent increase in unemployment among school leavers in Glasgow and I will write to you in due course.

  I can, however, reassure you that the Scottish Executive has a range of measures in place to assist young people who are unemployed in Glasgow.

Executive Accommodation

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost is, including labour, materials, fittings and VAT, of creating the media centre in the east wing basement of St Andrew’s House during the current refurbishment, and why this project was undertaken, given the availability of such a facility in Conference Room 1, Victoria Quay.

Mr Jack McConnell: The additional cost of creating a media centre in the basement of St Andrew’s House is £102,000 out of a refurbishment budget of £20 million. The conference suite at Victoria Quay is not a media centre. Its use by Ministers for this purpose follows the removal of previous facilities in St Andrew’s House during the refurbishment process. The media facility makes good use of basement space allowing the Executive to maximise the usable space elsewhere in the building.

Fire Service

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive who sits on the committee which determined the level of grant-aided expenditure allocated to each fire brigade; which authority each member represents, and how members were chosen.

Mr Jack McConnell: Local government finance distribution issues are reviewed by the joint Scottish Executive/CoSLA Distribution Committee. The committee reports to the Working Party on Local Government Finance on which all councils are represented. A list of local government members of the working party and its constituent committees is available in SPICe. Membership of the committees is reviewed regularly by CoSLA.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to bring forward legislative proposals in relation to new technical measures in the fishing industry, such as 90mm square mesh panels for demersal trawls and, if so, when.

Mr John Home Robertson: The Sea Fishing (Enforcement of Community Conservation Measures) (Scotland) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 2000/53) comes into force on 31 March 2000. This Order allows for the enforcement of the revised European rules on technical conservation (Council Regulation (EC) No. 850/98 as amended).

  In addition, I announced on 21 March that we intend to introduce more stringent technical measures, such as a requirement for 90mm square mesh panels in demersal and nephrops trawls, later this year. We shall therefore bring forward legislative proposals shortly and consult on them with the fishing industry which has already played a key role in developing the proposals.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the issue of quota trading in the fishing industry and what plans it has to address the implications which current trends in quota trading have for the future of fishing communities.

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available a report detailing the issues discussed and any outcome of the meeting scheduled for April 11 concerning quota trading in the fishing industry.

Mr John Home Robertson: A joint industry/Departmental Working Group has been set up to consider quota trading and other quota management issues affecting the UK industry.

  The first meeting of the working group will take place on 11 April, with a second meeting scheduled for 24 May. Further meetings will be arranged if necessary.

  I shall consider the working group’s findings and recommendations and report to the Rural Affairs Committee in due course.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supported a decrease in minimum landing sizes of any species during the last European fisheries council and, if not, what steps it took to oppose any such reductions.

Mr John Home Robertson: The Scottish Executive did not support the Commission’s proposal to reduce the minimum landing size of certain fish. Indeed, we argued against it because we believed it sent the wrong signals to the industry.

  However, there was a logic to the Commission’s proposal. The minimum landing size of fish is related to mesh size. If you increase the minimum landing size of fish, without ensuring a corresponding increase in mesh size, the number of discards is increased.

  The Commission proposed a reduction in the minimum landing size because it decreases the number of fish discarded, related to the mesh sizes that are currently in use.

  We successfully argued for an increase in the minimum landing size of plaice, reflecting the fact that these are relatively hardy fish that can survive discarding.

Holiday Homes

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many properties are available for let as holiday homes on a commercial basis, for 140 days or more per year, in each local authority area.

Henry McLeish: This information is not held centrally.

Payment of Invoices

Alex Fergusson (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that bodies in receipt of public funding pay all invoices on time.

Mr Jack McConnell: All public bodies are subject to the provisions of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. For an initial period, the Act provides that small firms have a statutory right to claim interest in respect of the late payment of invoices from large businesses and the public sector. From 1 November 2002, all businesses will be able to claim interest in respect of debts incurred under contracts agreed after that date. The Act provides a powerful incentive, to both the public and private sectors, to improve standards of payment performance.

  In respect of the Scottish Executive, in 1998-99 98% of all valid invoices were paid on time. Equivalent figures for the current financial year are not yet available, but are expected to be at around the same level. In November 1999 I launched the Government Procurement Card for the Scottish Executive. Suppliers paid using the card will normally receive payment within four days, compared to 30 days under traditional invoicing arrangements. As use of the card becomes more widespread I expect it will help us improve our performance still further.

  Payment arrangements between non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), health bodies and local authorities are a matter between them and their individual suppliers. However, for NDPBs and health bodies it is a requirement of their financial procedures that invoices are paid promptly. In respect of local authorities, at my request, CoSLA wrote to all local authorities on 1 October 1999 reminding them of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 and of the importance of paying invoices promptly.

Village Halls

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it ring-fences local authority funding for the building of village halls in order to protect such projects from any local authority expenditure cuts.

Mr Jack McConnell: No. Local authority non-housing capital allocations are mainly unhypothecated because local authorities are best placed to determine their own priorities in the light of their local circumstances.